Another thing that has been mentioned as a prerequisite of entering Paradise is to fear God and fight carnal desires. Verses 40 and 41 of Surah Naziat say:

“ But as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure desires and lust 41 verily Paradise will be his abode.”

There is a close relation between the fear of God and restraining oneself from evil desires. One is like the tree and the other like its fruits. When the fear of God is instilled deep in one’s heart then one can fight all carnal desires. It is also clear that the cause of all mischief on this earth is carnal desire and the fountainhead of all goodness is the entity of God.

There is a hadith from the Messenger explaining the verse 43 of Surah Furqan that says:

“ Have you seen the one who has taken his own desires as god? Would you be a watcher over him?”

There is no great idol than following one’s lust before God” (1)

The point to note is that verse of Surah Naziat mentions the feature opposite of these two features and that is rebellion and preferring this world to the hereafter. The result of this is Hell. Verses 37 to 39 of Surah Naziat say:

“ Then for them who sinned and preferred the life of this world; his abode will be the Hell fire.”

According to some commentators the seven streams of sins that have been mentioned in verse 14 of Surah Al Imran all come under purview of carnal desires. The fountainhead of this is disbelief in God and no fear of Him. The seven streams are:

“ Women, children, gold and silver, beautiful horses, and the love of animals and farming is what they covet.” (2)

What does the “ Station of God” mean? The commentators have given many interpretations about it. Some say that it is a hint about the stages of the Day of Judgment and the scrutiny of deeds.

Some other commentators believe it to be the great knowledge of God and His observance of the deeds of men. Yet others take it to mean justice. The reality is that all these meanings revert to the fact that it is out of fear of God and their own sins because is the Most Forgiving. There is nothing in Him that men should be afraid of but just as the criminals are afraid of the judges and are disturbed by courts of law and scrutiny so the sinners are afraid of the justice of God. (Reflect)

Actually there is a Hell in this world too and that is the Hell of desires. There is a Hell in the hereafter which is the Hell of punishment. This Hell comes from the first one.

We end this discussion with a hadith from Imam Sadiq who said:

“He who knows that God is watching him and that He hears what he says or hears and what he does desists from evil deeds. This is the person who is in awe of God and restrains himself from obeying his lust.

1. Tafsir Nurus Saqlain vol. 5 page 197 hadith48 , Usul Kafi vol.2 chapter 7